[swinginbeef]

What types of algae are these and will they take over if I just leave them be?? If so, what do I need to do to control their growth and spread?



First type at the left/top and in the foreground, it's longer pieces with very short pieces coming off evenly spaced. Second type on the right back a littler bit further, it's alot more bushy.

I was hoping the crabs would mow them down but that doesn't seem to be happening. I'll be adding cheato in the rear fuge in the next few days. What else can I do to keep it from taking over?? I looked at some pics from 6 days ago and it was barely noticeable!

Thanks in advance!

[ACE]

I am not sure what type of algae that is but to control most types of algae you have to check your phosphates witch lead to the growth of algae.

If your phosphates are to high algae will grow out of control if you lower your phosphates that should help control your algae.

what type of crabs do you have???

[swinginbeef]

I've currently just got 2 red reef hermits (or red legged hermits or something??) I've also got two margarita snails. It's a 12 gallon tank with almost 20 pounds of live rock. My test kit doesn't test phosphates. I use R/O water and get no direct sunlight. At the end of my cycle (ie last week) I had a HUGE nitrate count so that is probably what spawned this growth. Now it's back down to 0, so I believe that should slow the growth?

[ACE]

Also if your lights are on to long that will also contribute to algae growth a 12 hour light cycle is recommended.

[ACE]

Your on the right track RO water is the best water to use.

Emerald crabs will eat hair and bubble algae but I am not sure if they will eat that type of algae.

Cycling is probably what contributed to the algae growth.

[swinginbeef]

I've got a pretty conservative light cycle, moonlights on 24 hours, blues on from 11am to 11pm, whites on from 1pm to about 9:30pm.

I think it was the cycle that fired them up to grow that fast. I'll keep an eye on my light and nitrates and if the growth gets too bad for my taste, I'll go in after them with my hand.

[lynnvangsnes]

I would highly recommend some astrea snails. They are algae mowing creatures!

[swinginbeef]

I bought two astrea's and one didn't make the acclimation and the other died within a couple days. I don't know if the pet store has an issue with these snails or if I'm just not worthy of keeping them!!

The 2 margarita's and the 2 reef hermits did fine and they were all acclimated together?

[e_baer]

i would just let the lagae grow as long as it is not taking over. eventually, your going to have some animal to eat it, but until then it is only doing your tank good.....as long as it doesnt take over!

[spartacus]

That looks like the algae I had a problem with. I tried every invert that was supposed to eat it and that did not work. Then I got a yellow tang and it was gone w/in two days.

[swinginbeef]

problem with getting a tang is that my tank is only 12 gal!! I've seen hippo tangs that are young enough that they are only about 1.5" long. Maybe I could buy one and keep it for a month or two until it outgrows my tank and then take it back for credit?? I've never seen yellow tangs that small.

[e_baer]

Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums

[swinginbeef]

They are too expensive for buying single fish once you factor in $35 worth of shipping. I could find one locally, I'm just not sure how cruel and unusual it would be to keep a small tang (<2") in a 12 gal tank for a couple months?

Once it gets larger that 2-2.5" I'd trade it in for credit or another tiny one.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by swinginbeef

I bought two astrea's and one didn't make the acclimation and the other died within a couple days. I don't know if the pet store has an issue with these snails or if I'm just not worthy of keeping them!!

The 2 margarita's and the 2 reef hermits did fine and they were all acclimated together?

Hi Beef

Red legged hermits are sometimes hostile to snails and find them tasty that was my experience they also will kill them for their shell. Could try turbo snails

[swinginbeef]

I got a wad of Cheato in the mail today. I'll drop it in the fuge at lunch and see if that helps by filtering and using it's food source before it gets to it. It's growing pretty strong though. I can actually see that it's bigger than when I took the pictures above 2 days ago!!

I'll take another comparison pic today at lunch.

Any more thoughts about the tiny tang?? Too cruel??

[e_baer]

might be a little mean, try a smaller algae eating fish. somehting like the horned blenny.